Blood & Bone Marrow Transplant
A blood or bone marrow transplant (BMT) may be used to treat some types of cancers and certain other diseases. The transplant process involves administering high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation, which kills diseased cells as well as normal growing cells that live in the bone marrow. The normal growing cells are known as stem cells. Stem cells have the unique ability to become red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets; these cells are found in the blood stream. On the day of the patient’s transplant, healthy stem cells are given to the patient.
When a patient needs a transplant, stem cells are collected from either the patient or a donor. Stem cells can be collected from bone in the operating room, from the blood stream through a process called apheresis, or from some umbilical cords. These stem cells will begin to grow in the patient’s marrow over the next few weeks, producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This type of transplant may be used to treat some types of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, POEMS syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative disorders, aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, and other conditions.
Why UAB
Our program features 17 inpatient beds and an adjacent 24/7 outpatient clinic. We provide both autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplants, including haploidentical and umbilical cord transplants when necessary. Our program is a national leader in high-risk transplants for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). It is staffed by experienced and compassionate physicians, pharmacists, nurses, nurse practitioners, clinical care coordinators, transplant coordinators, patient care technicians, research/data staff, social workers, nutritionists, and support personnel, all of whom are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of patient care throughout the transplant process.
VIDEOS
Proton International at UAB
Proton International from UAB Health System on Vimeo.
Proton International at UAB is Alabama’s first and only proton therapy center. Rather than traditional radiation, the center uses protons to reduce the dose to the healthy surrounding tissue and nearby organs, which leads to fewer side effects, better long-term outcomes, and improved quality of life in many patients.
RELATED SERVICES
CLINICAL TRIALS
UAB is an active participant in research and clinical trials. We encourage you to speak to your physician about research and clinical trial options and browse the link below for more information.
View Clinical TrialsMORE INFO
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